%0 Book Section %B Rare Earth Elements and Actinides: Progress in Computational Science Applications %D 2021 %T Rare Earth Elements and Critical Materials: Uses and Availability %A Deborah A. Penchoff %A Charles B. Sims %A Theresa L. Windus %K critical materials %K REE %X Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are essential elements in critical materials for the economy and national security. This chapter explores REEs’ classifications, importance, abundance, resources and challenges, and the need for solutions and alternatives. REEs’ production, reserves, world markets, and net import reliance is discussed. Applications of REEs to clean energy, electronics, and defense are highlighted. %B Rare Earth Elements and Actinides: Progress in Computational Science Applications %I American Chemical Society %C Washington, DC %V 1388 %P 63-74 %8 2021-10 %@ ISBN13: 9780841298255 eISBN: 9780841298248 %G eng %U https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/bk-2021-1388.ch003 %& 3 %R 10.1021/bk-2021-1388.ch003